Allison, Fred

There is some question as to who discovered astatine. Some authorities state that Fred Allison and E.J. Murphy discovered astatine in 1931, but most give Corson, Mackenzie, and Segre the credit. 

Two of the most troubling empty boxes were elements 85 and 87. During the first third of the 20th century, chemists worked very hard to find these two missing elements. Along the way, a number of incorrect answers were proposed. For example, American chemist Fred Allison (1882—1974) announced in 1931 that he had discovered elements 85 and 87. He proposed the names virginium and alabamine for these two elements. (Allison was born in Virginia and worked at the Alabama Polytechnic Institute.) Unfortunately for Allison, other chemists could not repeat his experiments successfully. They decided his results must have been incorrect. 

The search for the three remaining elements produced a number of incorrect results. For example, American chemist Fred Allison (1882— 1974) announced the discovery of elements 85 and 87 in 1931. He suggested the names of alabamine and virginium, in honor of the states in which he was born (Virginia) and worked (Alabama). But other scientists were not able to confirm Allison s discoveries. 

Anne-Marie Baker University of Massachusetts, Lowell, Mass. (CHAP. 1) Carol M. F. Barry University of Massachusetts, Lowell, Mass. (CHAP. 5) Allison A. Cacciatore TownsendTarnell, Inc., Mt. Olive, N.J. (CHAP. 4) Fred Gastrock TownsendTarnell, Inc., Mt. Olive, N.J. (chap. 4)... 

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